Specialist perinatal mental health care in the UK 2023

Specialist perinatal mental health care in the UK 2023 The MMHA’s latest report on specialist perinatal mental health (PMH) community services in the UK highlights the significant progress made in all four nations since 2013. However, access to life-saving mental healthcare for pregnant women and new mothers remains uneven, with many regions still lacking the necessary resources. Mental health-related deaths during pregnancy or up to six weeks after birth are increasing, emphasising the urgency of addressing this issue. Maternal Mental Health Alliance

See also:

• Left unchecked – why maternal mental health matters (report) Healthwatch
• Maternal mental health: The changes your feedback made possible Healthwatch
• Maternal mental health support continues to improve despite NHS strain Ipsos
• RCPsych urges new and expectant mums to seek help for mental health issues Royal College of Psychiatrists
• New mums missing out on mental health services, report finds BBC News
• Maternal mental health is in crisis and the pandemic has made things worse The Daily Telegraph
• Poor mental health support during pregnancy risks UK women’s lives The Guardian
• NHS must ‘urgently’ publish data on mental health checks for pregnant women, say top doctors The Independent
• Pregnant women ‘suffer in silence for too long’ with mental health issues The Independent
• Pregnant women 'suffer in silence' for too long with mental health issues, say experts Sky News

Waiting for NHS hospital care: the role of the independent sector in delivering orthopaedic and ophthalmic care

Waiting for NHS hospital care: the role of the independent sector in delivering orthopaedic and ophthalmic care The waiting list for planned hospital care – which stood at 7.21 million in January 2023 – has grown by 58% since just before the start of the pandemic. To help expand capacity and address this backlog the NHS has been looking to independent sector providers (ISPs) to treat more NHS patients. The Health Foundation

See also:

• Greater use of private hospitals will have ‘limited impact’ on NHS backlog The Health Foundation

Healthy New Towns four years on: the legacy of a national innovation programme

Healthy New Towns four years on: the legacy of a national innovation programme It’s often said that the NHS is good at trialling new approaches through pilot schemes but less good at locking in the benefits or spreading the learning more widely. The Healthy New Towns programme was part of a flurry of innovation in the years following the publication of the NHS five-year forward view. The King's Fund

Snowballs and eels: a rapid review of national funding for cross-sector partnership building in health and care in England from 2019 to 2022

Snowballs and eels: a rapid review of national funding for cross-sector partnership building in health and care in England from 2019 to 2022 This report considers the results of a rapid review of the national funding available for cross-sector partnership building in health and care over the last three years. Considering the longer term, it finds that since the launch of the 42 sustainability and transformation partnerships in 2016, through to the placing of integrated care systems (ICSs) onto a statutory footing in July 2022, much progress has been made. It concludes that external funding and support for the voluntary and community sector (VCS) continues to have a part in supporting local partnerships to develop and thrive and play a full role in ICSs. National Association for Voluntary and Community Action

Study launched to find out more about mpox immunity

Study launched to find out more about mpox immunity The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), supported by the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has launched a study to better understand how the body reacts to the mpox virus and produces antibodies.

People will be invited by the Trust in London to take part in the LIMIT (Longitudinal immunology of mpox virus infection) study, which involves a simple questionnaire and a series of postal antibody tests.

Independent report: COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 6 months to 4 years: JCVI advice, 9 December 2022 (updated 26 April 2023)

Independent report: COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 6 months to 4 years: JCVI advice, 9 December 2022 (updated 26 April 2023) Statement setting out the advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years. Department of Health and Social Care

New Alzheimer's drug slows disease by a third

New Alzheimer's drug slows disease by a third We could be entering the era of Alzheimer's treatments, after the second drug in under a year has been shown to slow the disease.

Experts said we were now "on the cusp" of drugs being available, something that had recently seemed "impossible".

The company Eli Lilly has reported its drug - donanemab - slows the pace of Alzheimer's by about a third.

However two volunteers, and possibly a third, died as a result of dangerous swelling in the brain. BBC News

See also:

• Donanemab Significantly Slowed Cognitive and Functional Decline in Phase 3 Study of Early Alzheimer's Disease Eli Lilly
• New Alzheimer’s drug slows cognitive decline by 35%, trial results show The Guardian
• 'The Beginning Of The End' For Alzheimer’s? Experts Hail New Drug Huffington Post UK
• World ‘on cusp of first generation of treatments for Alzheimer’s’ as new drug ‘slows symptoms’ The Independent
• Alzheimer's: New drug can reduce disease symptoms by up to 35% Sky News

US drug regulator approves world's first RSV vaccine

US drug regulator approves world's first RSV vaccine The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - an illness that kills thousands of Americans each year.

The vaccine still needs approval from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before it can be rolled out to the public.

Officials say the vaccine, named Arexvy by the manufacturer GSK, is a major breakthrough that will save many lives. BBC News

See also:

• FDA Approves First Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine US Food and Drug Administration
• FDA approves first-ever vaccine for RSV virus which kills 10,000 Americans every year The Daily Mail
• ‘A good day’: FDA approves world’s first RSV vaccine Nature

Is this anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist the next Alex Jones?

Is this anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist the next Alex Jones? A film promoting an anti-vaccine conspiracy theory has been accused of helping to drive the harassment of bereaved families. In a rare interview with the BBC, the man behind it says he is "happy" about its influence - and believes the people responsible for Covid vaccinations should be executed. BBC News

Regularly using internet LOWERS risk of dementia by 50% in middle age, study claims

Regularly using internet LOWERS risk of dementia by 50% in middle age, study claims We're often told of the dangers of too much screen time, but a study suggests regularly using the internet may slash the risk of dementia.

Researchers at New York University tracked 18,000 adults aged between 50 and 65 for about eight years.

They were asked at the start of the study and then again every two years if they 'regularly' used the web to send emails, shop, browse or book vacations.

Those who answered 'yes' most of the time had a 50 percent lower risk of being diagnosed with all forms of dementia compared to those who normally said 'no' by the end of the research. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Internet usage and the prospective risk of dementia: A population-based cohort study (open access) Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

Launch of a jab to help weight loss has been paused - because suppliers fear demand will be too high

Launch of a jab to help weight loss has been paused - because suppliers fear demand will be too high The launch of a 'game-changing' jab to help weight loss has been paused because suppliers fear demand will be too high.

Weight loss services in Britain had expected Wegovy to hit shelves this week but have now been told there might be an indefinite delay.

The weekly jabs were approved by the NHS and the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) had recommended the drug to tens of thousands of overweight Brits. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Weight loss jab Wegovy delayed amid concern NHS supplies can't meet demand The Daily Telegraph
• Novo Nordisk cuts Wegovy starter dose supply in U.S. to cope with demand Reuters

Headfest mental and physical festival returns

Headfest mental and physical festival returns A week-long festival exploring mental and physical health and wellbeing is returning for a second year.

The BBC Headfest will be held in and around the Royal and Derngate theatre in Northampton from 7 to 14 May.

There are also mindfulness sessions to join and information about mental health services in the county. BBC Northampton

Northamptonshire Health Charity reaches local business awards final

Northamptonshire Health Charity reaches local business awards final Northamptonshire Health Charity, the independent charity that supports local NHS hospitals and community services across Northamptonshire, has announced it has been chosen as a finalist for the SME Northamptonshire Business Awards 2023. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Value of unpaid care in England and Wales now exceeds that of NHS budget

Value of unpaid care in England and Wales now exceeds that of NHS budget  New research finds that the value of unpaid care in England and Wales is now estimated to be £162 billion, exceeding that of the entire NHS budget in England for health service spending, which by comparison was £156 billion for 2020-21.

Following analysis of the latest 2021 census data, new research from the University of Sheffield and carers’ charity, Carers UK, found that the value of unpaid care has increased by nearly a third, from approximately £105 billion in 2011. Centre for Care

See also:

• Unpaid care in England and Wales valued at £445 million per day Carers UK
• Value of unpaid care matches NHS budget, research finds BBC News
• Value of unpaid carers in England and Wales equal to NHS multi billion-pound budget, according to research Sky News

‘It feels like being seen': how can local authorities know if their mental health services are working well?

‘It feels like being seen': how can local authorities know if their mental health services are working well? This briefing describes research that focused on two core questions relating to the role of local authorities that commission and provide adult social services in assessing and meeting people’s mental health needs: what does it look and feel like when support effectively considers people’s social and psychological wellbeing as part of mainstream assessments and care planning?; and what does it look and feel like when there is good collaboration in the commissioning and planning of mental health services and support? Centre for Mental Health

Employment check standards

Employment check standards Pre-employment checking seeks to verify that an individual meets the preconditions of the role they are applying for. There are six NHS Employment Check Standards that outline the type and level of checks employers must carry out before recruiting staff into NHS positions. They cover identity checks, criminal record checks, work health assessments, professional regulation and qualification checks, right to work checks, and employment history and reference checks. A new e-learning resources has also been produced alongside the standards. NHS Employers

NHS pay deal signed off for one million staff

NHS pay deal signed off for one million staff More than a million NHS staff in England are to receive a 5% pay rise, after health unions backed the deal.

Staff including ambulance workers, nurses, physios and porters will also get a one-off sum of at least £1,655.

The pay deal was signed off at a meeting between the government and 14 health unions representing all NHS staff apart from doctors and dentists.

Ministers said it was time to bring the strikes to an end - but three unions are threatening to continue action. BBC News

See also:

• Pay offer accepted by the NHS Staff Council NHS Staff Council
• Government and Agenda for Change trade unions ‘offer in principle’ NHS Employers
• GMB members vote to accept NHS pay offer GMB
• NHS Confederation responds to NHS Staff Council meeting NHS Confederation
• NHS Employers responds to the decision of the NHS Staff Council
• Trusts welcome Staff Council vote but under-pressure NHS not out of the woods yet NHS Providers
• Letter from RCN to Steve Barclay following NHS Staff Council meeting Royal College of Nursing
• NHS pay offer for England to be implemented but RCN remains in dispute Royal College of Nursing
• Unite NHS strikes to escalate despite staff council vote Unite the Union
• NHS workers must now get their money as soon as possible UNISON
• Majority of NHS nurses don't support strikes, says ex-boss of RCN union The Daily Mail
• NHS workers WILL get a pay rise as striking unions agree to pay deal The Daily Mail
• RCN gives strike warning despite majority of unions voting to accept NHS pay offer Evening Standard
• NHS staff council votes to accept pay deal for health workers in England The Guardian
• 'Good day' after NHS staff council accepts England pay deal, says health secretary – video The Guardian
• Junior doctors’ talks with Barclay raise hopes of breakthrough in pay dispute The Guardian
• NHS unions vote to accept pay deal – but nurses could still strike The Independent
• Unite and RCN warn of escalation in NHS strikes despite 5% pay deal being accepted iNews
• Majority of NHS unions accept pay offer - now what? ITV News
• Group of unions for NHS staff - including nurses - vote to accept government pay offer Sky News

Müller recalls six Cadbury desserts over listeria concerns

Müller recalls six Cadbury desserts over listeria concerns Six Cadbury desserts, including Flake and Dairy Milk Buttons, are being recalled because of the possible presence of listeria.

The recall is described by manufacturer Müller as a precautionary measure.

Listeria bacteria, which can be found in chilled foods, can cause the rare infection listeriosis. But for most people, the infection is not serious, the NHS says.

Müller has advised people to not eat the products and return them.

No other batches of Müller or Cadbury products have been affected. BBC News

See also:

• Müller recalls various Cadbury branded dessert products because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes Food Standards Agency

‘Huge advance’ helps cancer drug reach human brain for first time

‘Huge advance’ helps cancer drug reach human brain for first time A new breakthrough ultrasound technique can help transport chemotherapy drugs to the human brain, new research has revealed.

A major hurdle in treating the deadly brain cancer known as glioblastoma has been that even the most potent chemotherapy drugs cannot permeate the blood-brain barrier to reach the aggressive tumour.

But the new advance might lead to improved treatment of such malignant tumours. The Independent

See also:

• Repeated blood–brain barrier opening with an implantable ultrasound device for delivery of albumin-bound paclitaxel in patients with recurrent glioblastoma: a phase 1 trial (abstract) The Lancet Oncology

Tiny spot under woman’s eye revealed as world’s smallest skin cancer

Tiny spot under woman’s eye revealed as world’s smallest skin cancer A team of dermatologists has identified the world’s smallest skin cancer under a woman’s eye.

Measuring just 0.65 millimetres, the tiny spot on Christy Staats’ cheek was described by the team at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) as “almost invisible to the human eye.”

Identified using state-of-the-art technology, the team was able to confirm that the spot was melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. The Independent

Cannabis 'can ease cancer pain'

Cannabis 'can ease cancer pain' Medical cannabis may reduce the need for pain relief in cancer patients, a study has found. 

Researchers looked at 358 patients, all of whom were taking the drug because conventional painkillers did not fully work for them.

They reported a reduction of more than 40 per cent in how much pain affected their ability to go about daily life. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Medical cannabis is effective for cancer-related pain: Quebec Cannabis Registry results (open access) BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care
• Medicinal cannabis helps cancer pain - study BBC News
• Medicinal cannabis ‘can ease cancer pain and reduce need for drugs’ The Independent
• Medicinal cannabis 'safe and effective' pain relief method for cancer patients, study suggests Sky News

6.5MILLION kids in England have not seen an NHS dentist for at least a year

6.5MILLION kids in England have not seen an NHS dentist for at least a year Over 6.5million children in England have not been seen by an NHS dentist for at least a year amid a growing access crisis, figures suggest.

The British Dental Association warns access to a dentist has 'fallen off a cliff', with some kids now waiting two and a half years for dental surgery under general anaesthetic.

The NHS recommends that adults see a dentist every two years and under-18s at least once a year because their teeth can decay faster. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Government sitting on side-lines as child oral health gap widens British Dental Association
• Millions of children have not seen a dentist in last year Dentistry

Chance to speak to hospital consultant online about skin issues

Chance to speak to hospital consultant online about skin issues Skin deep – how to manage common skin complaints and avoid skin cancer - is a free online event held in the county to help identify problems and answer common skin complaint questions.

It is part of the series of free county Your Health Matters events run by Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (KGH) Governors to help demystify health conditions and provide practical tips, the next event looks at how to manage common skin problems and avoid skin cancer. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Injection of 'long-termism' vital to deliver an NHS fit for the future

Injection of 'long-termism' vital to deliver an NHS fit for the future As financial pressures continue to mount, the NHS will do everything it can to deliver a stretching efficiency ask, but the government must play its part too.

The NHS is facing immense financial and operational challenges. But its ability to meet those challenges is threatened by short-term fixes. We need a vital injection of long-termism to deliver an NHS fit for the future. NHS Providers

Occupational therapy under pressure: workforce survey findings 2022–2023

Occupational therapy under pressure: workforce survey findings 2022–2023 This report finds that the occupational therapy (OT) workforce is under pressure due to increased demand coupled with workforce shortages. It outlines concerns that this is challenging OTs’ capacity to provide essential support to people whose lives are impacted by long-term health conditions and disability. It makes several recommendations including building capacity within primary and community health and social care services, to ensure people receive advice and help early on. It also recommends that investment in the OT workforce must be matched to service and demographic need, not just in the NHS but also in social care. Royal College of Occupational Therapists

NHS website visits to sexual health clinic search tool rise 38% after a bank holiday

NHS website visits to sexual health clinic search tool rise 38% after a bank holiday An NHS search tool aimed at helping people find local sexual health services attracts a third more visits following a bank holiday, latest figures show. 

Analysis carried out by NHS England, which runs the NHS website, found page visits to the tool increased to an average of 7,414 in the 24 hours following the summer bank holiday weekends in May, June and August last year – equivalent to one visit every 12 seconds. NHS England

NHS vaccinates half of care home residents in three weeks

NHS vaccinates half of care home residents in three weeks The NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme has vaccinated more than 150,000 older adult care home residents in England in just three weeks since the campaign began – over half of all those eligible.

Roving teams of NHS staff have visited more than 6,000 care homes – almost three in five – to offer the spring jabs since the campaign launched on Monday 3 April with the targeted visits. NHS England

Government on brink of giving NHS staff 5% pay rise

Government on brink of giving NHS staff 5% pay rise The government is expected to agree to give NHS staff in England their 5% pay increase at a key meeting later.

Government and NHS officials will meet representatives from 14 NHS unions covering all staff except for doctors and dentists at lunchtime.

The unions will declare whether a majority of the workforce are in favour of the deal, which also includes a one-off lump sum.

Union sources said it was almost certain a majority had been reached. BBC News

See also:

• GMB members vote to accept NHS pay offer GMB Union
• We need to see a deal to end the strikes NHS Providers
• Statement from RCN General Secretary speaking in the final hours of the current strike Royal College of Nursing
• Unite union votes to reject NHS pay offer BBC News
• Nurses' strike: Nurse union relaxes strike rules for critical services BBC News
• Nurses out on strike in half of England’s NHS BBC News
• Nurses' strike: 28-hour strike over pay under way BBC News
• Strikes are about saving the NHS, Unite union rep says Channel 4 News
• A&E patient begs Rishi Sunak to 'pay staff fairly' after 8-hour wait on the first day of NHS strikes The Daily Mail
• Strike-hit NHS hospital has to SHUT intensive care beds after nurses ignore union's last-minute plea The Daily Mail
• Now even the GPs may strike! The Daily Mail
• GMB union votes to accept pay offer for NHS staff in England The Guardian
• Ministers set to impose NHS pay deal on staff despite opposition of unions The Guardian
• Striking nurses will return to work for emergencies, says RCN head The Guardian
• Government faces years of strike action from nurses, warns RCN chief The Independent
• ‘Determined’ nurses the NHS ‘can’t cope’ without will push ahead with strikes, union leader warns The Independent
• Will a key meeting between unions and NHS employers lead to a breakthrough? ITV News
• Crucial strike meeting between NHS employers and unions as health secretary 'optimistic' deal will be reached Sky News

Australia to ban recreational vaping in major public health move

Australia to ban recreational vaping in major public health move Recreational vaping will be banned in Australia, as part of a major crackdown amid what experts say is an "epidemic".

Minimum quality standards will also be introduced, and the sale of vapes restricted to pharmacies.

Nicotine vapes already require a prescription in Australia, but the industry is poorly regulated and a black market is thriving.

Health Minister Mark Butler says the products are creating a new generation of nicotine addicts in Australia. BBC News

Revealed: Scandal of mentally ill children dumped on the wrong hospital wards

Revealed: Scandal of mentally ill children dumped on the wrong hospital wards Thousands of children in mental health crisis are being treated on inappropriate general wards – with some forced to stay for more than a year and staff not properly trained to care for them, shocking new data reveals.

New figures uncovered by The Independent show at least 2,838 children needing mental health care were admitted to non-psychiatric hospitals last year as the NHS battled with a lack of specialist staff and a surge in patients.

Children could be prescribed weight-loss jabs on the NHS

Children could be prescribed weight-loss jabs on the NHS Children as young as 12 in England could be given weight-loss injections on the NHS after the government asked medical watchdog Nice to assess the potential benefits of prescribing them to under-18s.

Department of Health officials have asked the watchdog to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of giving semaglutide injections to obese children aged 12 to 17, “in addition to healthy nutrition and increased physical activity”, the Observer can reveal.

See also:

• Can drugs fix the UK’s adolescent obesity crisis? The Observer

Stark figures show family doctors are cramming in up to 60 patients per day

Stark figures show family doctors are cramming in up to 60 patients per day Family doctors are cramming in nearly 60 patients a day in some areas amid an appointments crisis.

Alarming figures reveal that each GP in England saw an average of 8,534 patients last year after many put off visits during the Covid pandemic.

A growing population and shrinking workforce has exacerbated the crisis, with patients waiting as long as four weeks for an appointment in some areas. The Daily Mail

The anorexia patients abandoned by the NHS because 'they are too sick to treat'

The anorexia patients abandoned by the NHS because 'they are too sick to treat' There are a rising number of desperately ill anorexia patients being deemed too sick to treat.

Experts have voiced concerns about both NHS and private clinics withdrawing life-saving treatment – helping patients to gain weight – to those with body mass indexes (BMI) lower than 18, the very edge of what is considered a normal weight.

The MoS has heard from patients who say they were told they are ‘too far gone’ for treatment, with some referred to palliative care. The Daily Mail

Performing more light exercise such as gardening and walking could reduce breast cancer risk

Performing more light exercise such as gardening and walking could reduce breast cancer risk Gardening and regular walks could lower the risk of developing breast cancer, experts say.

Light physical activity – also including housework and cooking – was linked to a 21 per cent reduced chance of getting the disease, a study found.

Women who clocked up five hours and 45 minutes a day of gentle exercise benefited from the reduced risk. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Associations of Physical Activity With Breast Cancer Risk: Findings From the UK Biobank Prospective Cohort Study Journal of Physical Activity and Health

New governors elected to champion local healthcare across Northamptonshire

New governors elected to champion local healthcare across Northamptonshire Championing healthcare across Northamptonshire will be the aim of new governors who have been welcomed into their roles following an election.

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) has welcomed nine new representatives this week following the election process for its council of governors. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Burnt out or something more? Examining the real root cause of NHS workforce challenges

Burnt out or something more? Examining the real root cause of NHS workforce challenges Happy doctors result in happier, healthier patients, as evidenced by the growing body of literature linking higher satisfaction levels among healthcare staff to improved patient satisfaction and care outcomes.

Recognising this, the NHS has several initiatives intended to track and improve staff occupational wellbeing. One initiative is the NHS Staff Survey, launched in 2003 and administered annually across England. In March 2023, the NHS published results from the 2022 Survey against a backdrop of high attrition and widespread workforce shortages. Considering these challenges and the planned Government announcement of a new NHS Workforce Plan, we sought to examine the reasons staff are increasingly dissatisfied. LCP

See also:

• Workplace discrimination and equality driving NHS acute staff shortages Hospital Times

Looking outward: international lessons for health system reform

Looking outward: international lessons for health system reform This report examines what policymakers in Britain can learn from abroad to help address four core challenges that stand in the way of building a world-leading health system: the health creation challenge; the centralism challenge; the healthcare delivery challenge; and the fiscal challenge. It draws on insights from health systems in both high income, and low- and middle-income countries to draw out lessons on successful transformation. Reform

Removing barriers to shared decision-making

Removing barriers to shared decision-making PIF and the Patients Association worked with NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) to look at ways of making it easier for patients to take part in shared decision-making. They delivered a co-production programme with the My Life Choices panel of local people and the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire personalised care team and developed and implemented patient information to support people with hip, knee, and joint pain to make treatment decisions. This report, developed with input from My Life Choices, outlines the key findings and recommendations. It also shares the co-produced resources developed throughout the project. Patient Information Forum

Record number of doctors and nurses in the NHS helping to cut waiting lists

Record number of doctors and nurses in the NHS helping to cut waiting lists There are record numbers of doctors and nurses working in the NHS helping to deliver extra appointments, speed up diagnoses and tackle the Covid backlog, according to data published today by NHS England.

There are over 1.27 million full-time equivalent staff working in NHS trusts and commissioning bodies in England - over 51,500 more people compared to a year ago which is an increase of 4.2%. Department of Health and Social Care

Faster diagnostic tests for cancer patients in latest NHS drive

Faster diagnostic tests for cancer patients in latest NHS drive Hospitals are being asked to work towards a 10-day turnaround when delivering diagnostic test results to patients who have received an urgent referral for suspected cancer, as part of new plans to see and treat people for cancer as early as possible.

This means hundreds of patients waiting to have cancer ruled out or diagnosed in some cases, are set to receive this news faster, helping to relieve anxieties or enabling treatment to start sooner. NHS England

Hidden high blood pressure in young people revealed

Hidden high blood pressure in young people revealed A "considerable" number of young people in England - about 170,000 aged 16 to 24 - unknowingly have risky high blood pressure, experts are warning.

That is about five in 100 young men and one in 100 young women, says the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Although it may not cause symptoms or problems to begin with, it puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is responsible for about half the heart attacks and strokes in the UK. BBC News

See also:

• Risk factors for undiagnosed high blood pressure in England: 2015 to 2019 Office for National Statistics

Whorlton Hall verdicts: Can further scandals be prevented?

Whorlton Hall verdicts: Can further scandals be prevented? The conviction of four care workers for mistreating patients at a specialist hospital in County Durham has once again underlined the vulnerability of people with learning disabilities and autism in such places. The government describes the abuse as a "terrible set of events that should never have happened". There have been many official promises of better, more appropriate services. Despite that, change remains slow. BBC News

See also:

• Whorlton Hall: Four guilty of ill-treating secure unit patients BBC News
• Staff are convicted of mistreating vulnerable patients at NHS-funded hospital The Daily Mail
• Four staff at specialist hospital guilty of mistreating vulnerable patients The Independent
• Four staff at specialist hospital guilty of mistreating vulnerable patients ITV News

Sudanese NHS doctor 'betrayed' after being refused entry onto evacuation flight to UK

Sudanese NHS doctor 'betrayed' after being refused entry onto evacuation flight to UK An NHS doctor trapped in Sudan after visiting family for Eid has urged the government to fly him back to the UK, saying he feels "betrayed" after being turned away from evacuation flights.

Sudanese-born Dr Abdulrahman Babiker is due back on shift as a registrar at the Manchester Royal Infirmary on Tuesday.

Despite having a UK work permit, he cannot board an evacuation flight as they only accept UK passport holders.

BBC Two's Newsnight has learned of at least 24 NHS doctors in this position. BBC News

See also:

• Agonising choice of NHS doctor fleeing Sudan has left her riddled with worry and guilt Sky News

Nurses forced to cut strike short after High Court ruling

Nurses forced to cut strike short after High Court ruling This weekend’s nurses’ strike will be cut short after the High Court ruled part of the walkout was unlawful.

Tens of thousands of nurses had planned to finish the 48-hour strike at 8pm on 2 May, but will now end the walkout at midnight on 1 May after the government brought action against the Royal College of Nursing. The Independent

See also:

• Outcome of the RCN strike High Court action NHS Employers
• NHS Employers respond to nurse strike High Court ruling NHS Employers
• RCN responds to High Court decision on strike action Royal College of Nursing
• Statement from the Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay MP
• Nurses' strike in England to be cut short after court ruling BBC News
• Court rules second day of nurses strike unlawful Channel 4 News
• Pat Cullen condemns government for 'taking its own nurses to court' The Daily Mail
• Nurses' union chief 'dragged strike dispute through court to fire up her members' The Daily Telegraph
• Nurses to cut short strike as court rules second day of action unlawful The Guardian
• 'Darkest day' for nurses as strike action cut short by High Court ruling ITV News
• Nurses' strike: RCN union calls off part of 48-hour strike after High Court deems it unlawful Sky News

Almost one in three doctors investigated by GMC ‘have suicidal thoughts’

Almost one in three doctors investigated by GMC ‘have suicidal thoughts’ Almost one in three UK doctors investigated by the General Medical Council (GMC) think about taking their own life, a survey has found.

Many doctors under investigation feel they are treated as “guilty until proven innocent” and face “devastating” consequences, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) said.

The regulator pursues too many cases against doctors for minor alleged matters and often takes months, and sometimes years, to make a ruling, it added. The Guardian

Pharmacies pause rollout of NHS England's over-the-counter contraception service over lack of funding

Pharmacies pause rollout of NHS England's over-the-counter contraception service over lack of funding The Department for Health and Social Care had previously announced the service would start on Monday this week - something the sector says was "imposed, not agreed". Pharmacies have now paused plans for the rollout, criticising the government for not putting more funding into the service. Sky News

New operation launched in Northants to help some early-stage cancer patients

New operation launched in Northants to help some early-stage cancer patients A new way of treating certain early-stage bowel and rectum cancers without major abdominal surgery is being introduced to Northamptonshire.

It involves using minimally invasive key-hole surgery techniques to remove early-stage tumours – and some advanced benign polyps that cannot be removed with endoscopic procedures - through the anal opening rather than though major radical surgery of the rectum. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Care home placed in special measures by watchdog

Care home placed in special measures by watchdog A care home has been rated inadequate and placed into special measures following a "deterioration" since a watchdog's last visit.

The Conifers Residential Care Home in Rushden, Northamptonshire, provides accommodation and personal support for up to 10 people with mental health conditions, sensory impairments, physical disabilities and those with dementia.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said its latest inspection in January was prompted after concerns about accidents and incidents. BBC Northampton

See also:

• The Conifers Residential Care Home in Rushden placed in special measures after being rated inadequate by CQC Northamptonshire Telegraph

Clinical investigation booking systems failures: written communications in community languages

Clinical investigation booking systems failures: written communications in community languages This investigation focuses on the systems used by healthcare providers to book patient appointments for clinical investigations, such as diagnostic tests and scans.

This investigation examines the safety implications of patient communications, produced by booking systems, that do not account for the needs of the patient. In addition, it looks at why patents are ‘lost to follow-up’ after an appointment is cancelled, rescheduled or not attended. Lost to follow-up is the term used to describe a patient who does not return for planned appointments (whether for continued care or evaluations) or is no longer being tracked in the healthcare system when they should be. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

See also:

• NHS warned over writing to patients in English after child dies The Independent

Working with the VCSE as system partners – from warm words to actions

Working with the VCSE as system partners – from warm words to actions As we publish our new report on addressing barriers to partnership working with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, Helen Gilburt takes a look at three fundamental principles needed to create change. The King's Fund

Healthy people, prosperous lives: The first interim report of the IPPR Commission on Health and Prosperity

Healthy people, prosperous lives: The first interim report of the IPPR Commission on Health and Prosperity The UK is getting poorer and sicker, at the same time as the country is facing a challenging economic outlook. After rapid progress on life expectancy in the 20th century, the UK has rising rates of death and impairment – including higher prevalence of long-term conditions and greater rates of multimorbidity.

Good health has its own value – but this paper tests its relationship with prosperity. Good health is vital to an enjoyable and meaningful life, free from avoidable pain, anxiety and, in the worst cases, premature death. But it is also a crucial determinant of our economic prospects, both at an individual and a national level. Institute for Public Policy Research

See also:

• Britain’s poor record on health costs economy £43bn a year, says report The Guardian

Family Consultation Day Report on deaths of people with mental ill health, a learning disability or autism

Family Consultation Day Report on deaths of people with mental ill health, a learning disability or autism This report highlights how bereaved families can face persistent challenges following the death of their loved one in mental health services. The authors of the report heard from 14 family members who were bereaved by deaths in the care of mental health services or settings for people with learning disabilities and/or autism, and had faced or were going through inquests and investigations. Key concerns raised were around lack of candour, transparency and accountability. Families also highlighted the inadequate levels of communication between families and the bodies responsible for care. Inquest

NHS to expand soups and shakes for people with type 2 diabetes

NHS to expand soups and shakes for people with type 2 diabetes Thousands more people with type 2 diabetes across England will benefit from NHS soup and shake diets, as new data shows its effectiveness at helping people lose weight.

The radical programme, first piloted by the NHS in 2020 as part of its Long Term Plan, will expand so that it can provide access to patients in every part of the country by March 2024 – it is currently available in 21 areas of England.

Patients can benefit if they have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the last six years with referrals made by local GPs. NHS England

Midwives in England accept NHS pay offer

Midwives in England accept NHS pay offer Midwives in England have voted to accept the latest NHS pay offer, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) says.

The offer covers two years and includes an additional one-off amount for 2022/23 and and 5% rise for 2023/24.

Nurses with the Royal College of Nursing have already turned down the offer and they plan more strike action. Members of the Society of Radiographers also voted against it.

The RCM said the offer was "not perfect" but was a "step forward". BBC News

See also:

• Midwives say yes to England NHS pay offer Royal College of Midwives
• England nursing strikes: legal challenge latest Royal College of Nursing
• Government confirms High Court application against the Royal College of Nursing strike next week Royal College of Nursing
• Midwives in England vote to accept NHS pay offer The Guardian
• Barclay ‘wasting public money’ with legal action against nursing strike The Guardian
• Midwives vote to accept latest NHS pay offer ITV News
• Nurses' strike: Health secretary Steve Barclay urges union to call off walk-out ahead of court case Sky News

Ex-minister predicts ‘battle royale’ over US firm’s bid for NHS data contract

Ex-minister predicts ‘battle royale’ over US firm’s bid for NHS data contract A former cabinet minister has warned that there could be a “battle royale” over a £480m NHS data software contract sought by the controversial US tech firm Palantir, whose chair has accused the UK health service of “making people sick”.

David Davis, the Conservative former Brexit secretary who previously led the campaign against ID cards, said he was one of those with serious privacy concerns about Palantir’s bid. He is among at least a dozen MPs and peers across the political spectrum who are pressing the government for more reassurances about how patient data will be treated as the new data operating system is built. The Guardian

UK on verge of new dawn for dementia treatments, says taskforce chair

UK on verge of new dawn for dementia treatments, says taskforce chair Today’s generation of elderly people could be the last to face the spectre of untreatable Alzheimer’s disease, according to the co-chair of the government’s new dementia mission.

Hilary Evans, the chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, appointed by ministers last month, said the world was “on the cusp of a new dawn” for dementia treatments that meant devastating neurodegenerative illness would no longer be regarded as an inevitable part of old age. The Guardian

Britain’s Covid research led the world – why have our clinical trials fallen off a cliff?

Britain’s Covid research led the world – why have our clinical trials fallen off a cliff? | Andrew Pollard Pressures on the NHS, a lack of doctors and post-Brexit delays are hampering our ability to develop cutting-edge drugs

The UK’s remarkable capability and capacity in clinical research was catapulted on to the world stage during the pandemic. The Recovery trial, led by Oxford University, studied existing drugs in seriously ill patients with Covid-19 and identified the first proven and effective life-saving treatments. The Guardian

Britain's bored of boosters: Slowest ever start to Covid vaccine drive

Britain's bored of boosters: Slowest ever start to Covid vaccine drive Britain's current Covid booster jab drive is the slowest yet, MailOnline can reveal amid growing fears over Arcturus.

Just 1million doses were dished out in the first three weeks of the campaign.

This is dwarfed by the huge take-up seen during last spring's top-up programme, when nearly 1.4million jabs were administered over the same period. The Daily Mail

See also:

• NHS delivers one million spring covid jabs NHS England
• 'My daughter's long Covid is not nonsense' BBC News
• The Arcturus Covid-19 subvariant is spreading in Australia - but expert says it’s no cause for alarm The Guardian
• Tory MP who compared Covid vaccines to the Holocaust expelled by party The Independent
• With the NHS Covid app set to close, where are we at with the virus? ITV News
• Andrew Bridgen: MP kicked out of Tory party after comparing COVID vaccines to Holocaust Sky News
• Long Covid: 'I'm grieving my life,' says former tennis pro forced to retire at 21 Sky News
• 'Arcturus': What we know about the new COVID variant that's dominating in India Sky News

War on cancer will see ALL patients receive test results within 10 days under NHS plans

War on cancer will see ALL patients receive test results within 10 days under NHS plans Patients will receive cancer test results within ten days under new NHS plans aimed at boosting survival rates, the Mail can reveal.

NHS England has written to local managers demanding they speed up the time they take to arrange, conduct and analyse the likes of blood checks and MRI scans.

This means doctors can start treatment sooner, when the disease is easier to treat, or rapidly relieve patients' anxiety if giving the all-clear. The Daily Mail

Women in Northamptonshire encouraged to reach out for support during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

Women in Northamptonshire encouraged to reach out for support during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week Free community drop-in sessions and online webinars are being offered across Northamptonshire for pregnant women and new parents to get support with their mental health.

As part of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (1 – 7 May) Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s (NHFT) Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service (SPMHS) is delivering sessions and webinars throughout the week at libraries across the county. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Caremark - one of the UK's home care companies - expands its services into Northampton

Caremark - one of the UK's home care companies - expands its services into Northampton Caremark, one of the largest home care companies in the UK, has expanded its services into Northampton to meet the community's demands and help ease pressures on the region's health and social care systems. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Supporting people living with dementia: evidence from research

Supporting people living with dementia: evidence from research This briefing distils the research evidence on what can enable people to maintain independence and wellbeing, and how best to support people living with dementia to have a quality of life grounded on what matters to them, and to their carers and family members. Institute of Public Care

Can videoconference appointments help to reduce carbon emissions?

Can videoconference appointments help to reduce carbon emissions? In this blog, Dr David Ross, consultant chest physician at NHS Western Isles, discusses how videoconference appointments have helped to reduce carbon emissions in the Outer Hebrides. Royal College of Physicians

Alternative to epidural recommended for women in labour

Alternative to epidural recommended for women in labour Women in labour should be offered an alternative to an epidural spinal block injection, say new draft guidelines for the NHS.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is recommending remifentanil, which is a fast-acting morphine-like drug given into a vein.

Women control the medication themselves, by pressing a button to get more of the drug for pain relief.

A timer ensures the user cannot administer too much of it. BBC News

See also:

• Intrapartum care for healthy women and babies (update) Guideline in development [GID-NG10360] NICE
• All mums-to-be with a BMI over 25 will be warned of extra risks they face in pregnancy under new health guidelines The Daily Mail
• New drug will deliver pain relief to women in labour who don't want an epidural The Daily Mail

Superbug study to invite 2,000 stool samples

Superbug study to invite 2,000 stool samples Up to 2,000 people in England will be asked to submit samples of their poo so scientists can find out more about levels of superbugs in the population.

Health officials want to design better ways of tackling bacteria that no longer respond to medicines - known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

It kills thousands of people every year in the UK and over a million globally.

Using antibiotics for the wrong reasons has made the problem worse, experts say. BBC News

See also:

• New study launched to assess levels of antimicrobial resistance in healthy people UK Health Security Agency

Priory Group whistleblowers 'concerned for patient safety'

Priory Group whistleblowers 'concerned for patient safety' Two former senior managers at a large mental health care provider have told the BBC they had concerns about the safety of patients and staff.

The whistleblowers claim they felt pressure to cut costs and fill beds.

The Priory Group, which receives more than £600m of public money each year, is the biggest single private provider of mental health services to the NHS.

The company denies the claims and says it successfully treats tens of thousands of patients each year.

It adds its services "remain amongst the safest in the UK". BBC News

The NHS COVID app is closing down - but is the pandemic really over?

The NHS COVID app is closing down - but is the pandemic really over? Following its September 2020 launch, the NHS COVID app soon became integral to British pandemic life - it was needed to board flights, enter bars and restaurants, and store essential COVID vaccine information. But its end does not mean the pandemic is over. Sky News

See also:

• Mild Covid can lead to long-term impact on cardiovascular health, study claims The Independent
• Long-Term Adverse Effects of Mild COVID-19 Disease on Arterial Stiffness, and Systemic and Central Hemodynamics: A Pre-Post Study (open access) Journal of Clinical Medicine

‘I waited nine months then had to move house to get any mental health care’

‘I waited nine months then had to move house to get any mental health care’ New data reveals one-fifth of young people “always feel anxious” amid worsening mental health crisis.

A student nurse said she felt “abandoned” as she struggled to get the mental health support she needed amid a worsening mental health crisis among young people.

Niamh O’Connor has had an eating disorder for six years, which led to her being admitted to hospital. When she left at the end of 2020, she found herself on a waiting list for nine months but it was only when she moved house that she says she was finally offered care. The Independent

‘Dog flu’ adapting to infect humans, warn scientists

‘Dog flu’ adapting to infect humans, warn scientists A “dog flu” virus is adapting in the direction of being able to infect people, scientists have warned.

The virus is descended from a type of bird flu called H3N2, which first infected dogs in roughly 2006 and has now evolved to become a mammalian-adapted form of avian influenza. The Independent

See also:

• Increased public health threat of avian-origin H3N2 influenza virus caused by its evolution in dogs (open access) eLife
• Viruses: How avian influenza viruses spill over to mammals (open access) eLife
• Now be prepared for DOG FLU! Mutated form of avian influenza is 'creeping' towards infecting humans The Daily Mail

NHS nurses' strike could 'overwhelm' hospitals and leave patient safety in 'precarious position'

NHS nurses' strike could 'overwhelm' hospitals and leave patient safety in 'precarious position' Striking nurses will put patients at risk if they plough ahead with plans to withdraw 'life and limb' care over this Bank Holiday weekend, health leaders warn today.

The Royal College of Nursing will order members to walk out of A&E, critical care and cancer wards for the first time, in a major escalation of industrial action.

But the NHS Confederation, which represents healthcare organisations, says the 48-hour picket from 8pm on Sunday could lead to wards being 'overwhelmed'. The Daily Mail

See also:

• NHS leaders warn nurses’ strikes will put A&E in ‘precarious’ position The Daily Telegraph
• When is the next nurses’ strike? Health Secretary Steve Barclay could take legal action Evening Standard
• Warning over urgent and emergency care as nurses’ strike approaches The Independent

Prevention at scale through ICSs: lessons from tobacco control

Prevention at scale through ICSs: lessons from tobacco control The independent review of integrated care systems (ICSs) led by Patricia Hewitt, published earlier this month, reinforces the crucial role that ICSs have to play in prevention of ill health. But while there is widespread agreement that this is important, what has sometimes been less clear is exactly what that role should look like, and how it is distinct from the role of local authority public health teams. It’s a key question as ICS leaders grapple with the wider issue of what should happen at system, place and neighbourhood level. Recent examples from tobacco control highlight how ICSs can complement and reinforce work at other levels and help deliver potentially significant population health benefits by doing so. The King's Fund

Young people at risk of disease as concerning numbers miss out on life-saving vaccines

Young people at risk of disease as concerning numbers miss out on life-saving vaccines Data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that uptake of the adolescent vaccines offered to 13 and 14 year olds who were in school year 9 during the 2021 to 2022 academic year has fallen, leaving many young people unprotected from life-threatening diseases.

The teenage (Td/IPV) booster is the last routine dose for tetanus, diphtheria and polio, and provides young people with long-lasting protection into adulthood. The MenACWY vaccine helps protect young people against 4 types of meningococcal disease.

These rare but serious diseases can cause life-threatening illness leading to hospitalisation, permanent disability and even death. UK health Security Agency

See also:

• Teenagers at risk after drop in vaccine take-up BBC News
• Vaccine uptake among children in England has fallen since start of pandemic The Guardian
• Alarm as fewer young people protected against meningitis The Independent
• Fall in adolescent vaccines uptake puts young people at risk Pulse
• More teenagers unprotected from serious diseases as vaccine uptake falls Sky News

Urgent and emergency care improvement guide same day emergency care flow

Urgent and emergency care improvement guide same day emergency care flow This guide has been designed for providers and systems to consider embedding as good practice to reduce ambulance handover delays. The contents have been drawn from the Winter Improvement Collaborative which was set up to identify solutions to the problems facing the system over the winter period. Members of the collaborative were asked to co-design a series of plans and potential improvement measures, to be adapted and trialled at local level. NHS England

See also:

• Urgent and emergency care improvement guide same day emergency care pathways NHS England
• Urgent and emergency care improvement guide to direct access NHS England
• Urgent and emergency care improvement guide specialty support to the urgent and emergency care pathway/internal professional standards NHS England
• Urgent and emergency care improvement guide to contact hubs for primary, ambulance and clinical calls NHS England

NHS set to save £7 billion thanks to world-leading medicine pricing scheme

NHS set to save £7 billion thanks to world-leading medicine pricing scheme The NHS will save £7 billion by the end of 2023 thanks to a 5-year agreement with the pharmaceutical industry, which ensures the NHS can continue to be one of the fastest health systems in the world to roll out innovative medicines. Department of health and Social Care

Ministers start legal move to cut nurse strike short

Ministers start legal move to cut nurse strike short Health Secretary Steve Barclay is to ask judges to rule whether part of the next nurse strike is unlawful.

The government wants the High Court to assess whether Tuesday - the last day of the walkout in England - falls outside the Royal College of Nursing's six-month mandate for action.

It believes the mandate will have lapsed by Tuesday - the 48-hour strike is due to start at 20:00 BST on Sunday. BBC News

See also:

• NHS strike action in England House of Commons Library
• NHS Employers statement on legality of RCN strike action NHS Employers
• Government confirms High Court application against the Royal College of Nursing strike next week Royal College of Nursing
• England nursing strikes: legal challenge latest Royal College of Nursing
• Nurses' strikes may be cut short as Health Secretary goes to High Court The Daily Telegraph
• Government to seek court order to stop next month’s nursing strike Evening Standard
• Ministers apply to high court to stop part of nurses’ strike in England The Guardian
• Government to face nursing union in court as Steve Barclay confirms legal action over strike The Independent
• Government confirms legal action over nurses' strikes ITV News
• Nurses' strike: Health Secretary Steve Barclay says he is 'left with no choice but to proceed with legal action' Sky News

Covid: No evidence shielding helped - Swansea uni study

Covid: No evidence shielding helped - Swansea uni study There is no evidence that shielding benefited vulnerable people during the Covid pandemic, according to a study.

Swansea University compared 117,000 people shielding in Wales with the rest of the population of three million.

The study found deaths and healthcare usage were higher among shielding people than the general population. BBC News

See also:

• Did the UK's public health shielding policy protect the clinically extremely vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales? Results of EVITE Immunity, a linked data retrospective study (open access) Public Health
• No evidence that shielding reduced Covid infections in Wales Swansea University
• Arcturus has already killed 5 Brits: New Covid strain makes up one in 40 new cases The Daily Mail
• Britain 'should open up spring Covid booster drive to ALL over-50s amid Arcturus fears' The Daily Mail
• Covid inquiry orders ministers to hand over all WhatsApps on pandemic The Daily Telegraph
• Five die with Arcturus variant in UK as strain spreads globally The Independent
• Arcturus mapped: Is new Covid-19 variant in your region? The Independent
• Covid inquiry demands Tory ministers hand over WhatsApp messages The Independent

Biting cost of NHS dental treatment revealed as patients avoid care

Biting cost of NHS dental treatment revealed as patients avoid care The price of NHS dental treatments has risen by 8.5%. The British Dental Association has warned that patients are avoiding treatments due to the cost. ITV News

See also:

• Ministers must rethink outrageous charge hikes British Dental Association
• NHS dentistry crisis: Crowdfunding my new teeth has changed my life BBC News
• 'Care homes are being deprived of dental services' BBC News
• Costs leave one quarter of patients delaying or avoiding treatment Dentistry
• One in four delay or go without NHS dental treatment ‘due to cost’ Evening Standard
• NHS dentistry crisis grows with less than half of children seeing a dentist in past year, research suggests Sky News

150000 NHS doctors and nurses opt out of pensions amid pay dispute

150000 NHS doctors and nurses opt out of pensions amid pay dispute NHS workers have stopped paying into their pensions in an attempt to boost their take-home pay amid a long-running salary dispute.

More than 150,000 people opted out of the NHS pension scheme between April and December last year, according to a freedom of information request submitted by the wealth manager Quilter. The Daily Telegraph

NHS ambulance staff in England quitting for less stressful, better paid jobs

NHS ambulance staff in England quitting for less stressful, better paid jobs NHS ambulance trusts in England are struggling with high staff turnover as key workers leave the crisis-hit service for less stressful or better paid work, according to figures obtained by the Observer. 

Data sourced under the Freedom of Information Act reveals the backdrop to recent ambulance strikes, with sickness rates above pre-pandemic levels and low levels of staff retention.

A 'skinny jab' is no quick fix for obesity - and no excuse to let junk food companies off the hook

A 'skinny jab' is no quick fix for obesity - and no excuse to let junk food companies off the hook | Sarah Boseley Rather than board the injection bandwagon, Britain should be taxing unhealthy food and clamping down on marketing

Humankind has been freed from the threat of disease by some wonderful, transformative inventions, from smallpox injections to the Covid vaccinations. With all due respect, I don’t think the so-called skinny jab is one of them. The Guardian

New Alzheimer's drug can 'remove' harmful proteins associated with the disease, experts claim

New Alzheimer's drug can 'remove' harmful proteins associated with the disease, experts claim Experts have hailed a 'significant step forward' in the quest for an Alzheimer's treatment after a drug was found to remove harmful proteins linked to the condition.

Tau is one of the main proteins linked with the disease, forming 'tangles' which can interfere with brain cells and slow the ability to think and remember.

Now, for the first time, researchers have been able to lower levels of the protein with a 'gene silencing' approach. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Tau-targeting antisense oligonucleotide MAPTRx in mild Alzheimer’s disease: a phase 1b, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (open access) Nature Medicine

The GP will see you now... but only for a couple of minutes!

The GP will see you now... but only for a couple of minutes! More than 51million GP appointments lasted five minutes or less last year as patients were 'rushed' out the door, official figures suggest.

Patients are typically offered ten-minute consultations but more than one in six (17.2 per cent) were ended after less than half that time.

Campaigners warn doctors who cut visits short risk missing symptoms and storing up more serious problems for the future. The Daily Mail